Problems related to the identification and monitoring of drought are investigated. In particular, drought conditions in Italy are examined using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) on different time scales for August 2000. Historical reconstruction of drought events is also shown for particular locations of Italy for the last fifty years. These preliminary applications show interesting results and demonstrate that the index considered is a tool that should be used operationally as part of a national drought watch system in Italy to monitor drought conditions objectively. An example of a monthly bulletin of drought for Italy is also shown.